Philippine Defense Chief: US-China summit eases tensions, but Philippines still faces serious threat from China

Central News Agency (Singapore, May 30) - Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told Reuters on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue today that despite the recent summit between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping easing tensions between the two superpowers, the Philippines remains under serious threat from China. Teodoro noted that while it is natural for major powers to seek to ease tensions, for a country like the Philippines, which faces territorial and political threats from China, there is no choice but to remain resilient and resist aggression. He emphasized that there is no indication that the summit or conflicts in the Middle East have impacted the US commitment under the Mutual Defense Treaty. He added that defense cooperation with allies such as Japan, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand has further solidified this commitment. Regarding China's offer of fertilizer and fuel, Teodoro dismissed it as a "deceptive tactic" that does not change the reality of the situation.